Is Fresno State wideout Jalen Cropper headed to transfer portal? Here’s what he had to say

Fresno State wideout Jalen Cropper, who has been rumored to be in or headed to the NCAA transfer portal to reunite with former Bulldogs coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington, said on Wednesday that no decisions have been made but if he were to leave it would be for an early entry into the NFL Draft and not another school.

“I’m still here on the team,” he said. “I’m participating in every event that we’re having. I’m still a Bulldog. At the end of the day, I chose to come here for a reason and that was to go to the NFL Draft. Everything is within hand’s reach, but my thing has always been I‘m going to have my team first and when I make my decision on whatever I want to do it’s going to be in my best interests and my family’s best interests.

“As of right now, I’m still on the team. I’m giving 100% effort every day still. I’m looking to play in the bowl. I’m looking to participate in every practice. As of right now, I’m not going anywhere. I’m a Bulldog. My plan has always been to go to the NFL Draft. That’s here. That’s where I’ve felt it has been these past three years. That’s what I’m going to do.

“Being draft-eligible, that’s something I’ll take into consideration, for sure, but I never had a thought of leaving Fresno State. I came here for a reason. I didn’t come here to leave. That’s really how I feel about everything.”

Cropper, who is leading the Bulldogs with 76 receptions for 827 yards and 11 touchdown catches and also has two rushing touchdowns, said he will request a draft evaluation from the NFL in the next few weeks.

“That’s when I really know where I stand with them and that’s when certain decisions will be made,” Cropper said. “My No. 1 goal has always been the draft. That’s my dream since I was 4. I’m going to get there somehow.”

Fresno State lost quarterback Jake Haener to the transfer portal on Tuesday, fueling the rumors that had Cropper as the next player to head out the door.

The Bulldogs, 9-3 and 6-2 in the Mountain West Conference, are awaiting their bowl matchup. They are scheduled to return to the practice field later this week under interim coach Lee Marks.

This story was originally published December 1, 2021 at 1:30 PM.